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Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now! Theme of Pride

Warning! This theme isn't for everyone. Depending on how you read Marvin K. Mooney as a character, pride may or may not come into your understanding of the poem. We're especially considering this one in connection with Marvin K. Mooney as a symbol for Richard M. Nixon (check out our "Character" section for more on this tidbit). If Marvin is Nixon and Nixon is Marvin, then pride seems to be a good explanation for why Marvin refuses to leave. Love him or hate him, you've got to admit Nixon was one proud man. And it's this pride and stubbornness that Seuss seems to take especially to heart in his rendition of Marvin K.

Questions and Answers

Questions the little ones might ask and how you might respond

Q: Do you think Marvin K. is too proud?A: Well, I certainly think Marvin's got some type of pride going on here. But I'm not sure I can say it's too much pride. I don't know him that well.

Q: What about the Narrator? Is he proud, too?A: That could be. He does get awfully upset when Marvin refuses to leave. Maybe this is what happens when two great prides collide.

Q: Who has the most pride?A: I'd have to go with Marvin. The Narrator doesn't get mad until Marvin refuses to leave while Marvin has his mind made up from the get go.

Q: Is not being proud the lesson of the book?A: It's one of the lessons of the book. Maybe if we read it again we can find others. Your turn!